I could hear her voice calling me but
try as I might I couldn't shake the last
vestiges of unconsciousness. Then I felt it, her hand clinging to
mine and as if by magic it infused my body with the strength to
emerge from the state of
darkness and I opened my eyes and looked into hers.

I couldn't believe that three weeks
had already gone by and since then I had
gotten to know a side of Mac that I hadn't known existed. She had
been at my side almost constantly, using all her time between school
and her job to be there for me, in her own shy and abrasive way. I
had left the hospital during that second week and it was decided
that I would live at the Chancellor estate, an arrangement that had
me doing cartwheels (mentally of course because after my ordeal I
could barely even stand). Now I could be near Mac and convince her
that I had changed and that we shared a connection,
which, needed to be explored.

" Crrrk" at the sound of
the door I slid further down in the chair and feigned
sleep. I knew it was her, her scent drifted in on the slight wind
made by the movement of the door and I smiled in anticipation
"Billy?" she said
hesitantly, touching my chest as if to ensure that I was breathing.

Then to the sofa on which I was
reclining. I sat up and pulled her down beside me,
her eyes teary and bewildered as I enfolded her in my arms. Her body
remained stiff and unyielding but then the burden became too much
and weeks of pent up emotions erupted and she dissolved, her fragile
frame wracked with sobs. "I re-really liked him --I told him I
was sorry, why couldn't I just feel about him the way I feel
about," she paused and drew